EVAN FERGUSON has received high praise from former England forward Gary Lineker for his brace against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
The Bettystown native's double in the 5-0 win now means he's taken his tally in all competitions to 7 goals this season at the tender age of 18-years of age.
Brighton went 1-0 up in the first half thanks to Deniz Undav and shortly after the restart Ferguson doubled Brighton & Hove Albion's lead
The Meath star controlled a high ball from Alexis Mac Allister before finding space in the box to score his first goal.
🇮🇪🌟 Superb technique & finish by Brighton's Evan Ferguson (18) in the FA Cup! pic.twitter.com/UIwaMznCTn
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 19, 2023
Ferguson would score again, but it was ruled offside moments later. The Ireland star then managed to get his second when he was put through by Undav, finishing smartly with the Grimsby keeper unable to stop his shot.
Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma added further goals in the rout.
Lineker, who scored 331 goals, including 283 goals at club level during his career claimed that he was extremely impressed by the Ferguson's displays for his club and went to admit there is Ireland have a real talent on their hands.
"18-year-old, Evan Ferguson raps it up for @OfficialBHAFC with his second goal. I see a real centre forward before my eyes," said the Match of the Day presenter.
Brighton Head coach Roberto de Zerbi who sat out the game praised his player also and said: “Ferguson is a special striker.
“I’m working, and my staff are working, to improve him to become not only a No.9, not only a striker, but in terms of understanding the play, to receive the ball or to attack the space and not only one thing. To complete the player, to complete the guy.
“He is a very good guy and I think if you work with a clever guy, it is nice because he understands immediately and he improves day by day," he added to local Brighton paper The Argus.
“He is a fantastic striker; his quality is to score goals.
“But, in the Premier League, in the high level where he can arrive, it is not enough to score goals. You have to play; you have to understand the play.
“You have to play like a midfielder when you are far from the goal area and like a striker in the last 20 metres.
“We need Ferguson and (Danny) Welbeck to work like No.10, not only No.9.”
Ferguson will now join up with the Republic of Ireland squad for the games against Latvia this week and France next Monday.
18 year old, Evan Ferguson raps it up for @OfficialBHAFC with his second goal. I see a real centre forward before my eyes. 👏🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 19, 2023
